Steve Browning 2025 Spirit of Philanthropy Award given to Mary Ahmann-Hibbard

The Helena Area Community Foundation has recognized Mary Ahmann-Hibbard for the 2025 Steve Browning “Spirit of Philanthropy” award, which is given to community members who carry forward Mr. Browning’s commitment to make the Helena area a great place to live, work, play and raise a family.

Mary Ahmann-Hibbard’s work is grounded in a simple belief: that communities thrive when people show up for each other. A sixth-generation Montanan, Mary’s love for Helena runs deep—rooted in family, friendship, and a lifelong commitment to giving back.

Whether she’s volunteering with local nonprofits like Prickly Pear Land Trust and Western Sustainability Exchange, serving on the board of the Helena Association of Realtors, or lending her time to creative and cultural organizations like the Holter Museum of Art, Mary leads with generosity and heart. She doesn’t just live in Helena—she pours her time, energy, and resources into helping it grow stronger.

She is known for building meaningful relationships and quietly showing up in ways that matter—offering support to fellow business owners, connecting people with resources, and investing in the small moments that make a big difference. As the owner of Helena Home Team, Mary brings that same spirit to her work in real estate—viewing every transaction as a chance to build trust, support families, and celebrate Helena’s uniqueness. Through Helena Home Team, she and her team have contributed over $252,000 to local nonprofits and causes in just the past five years, reflecting a deeper mission: to give back to the place that gives so much to them.

Mary doesn’t seek the spotlight—but her quiet leadership, kindness, and enduring belief in community are exactly what this award was made to honor.

The Steve Browning “Spirit of Philanthropy” award was introduced in 2015.

Mr. Browning was one of the founding members of the Helena Area Community Foundation and was well known for his generosity in time, talent and money in supporting non-profits in Helena. A founding partner of the Montana-based law firm of Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry & Hoven, Mr. Browning passed away in 2018.